Cannes 2023: List Of Top Contenders, History, Festival Date, Prizes; All You Should Expect From The Festival

Cannes Film Festival 2023: The world's most prestigious film festival, Cannes 2023, is set to take place next week, and this year too is going to be iconic. The French Riviera will witness its most anticipated Hollywood celebrities presence, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Natalie Portman, and Harrison Ford, attending the glamorous event.

The 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is the biggest celebration of cinema, showcasing some well-made movies, screenings, press conferences, and glamorous parties. So, before we witness the magic, here are a few things you should know about the Cannes Film Festival, from its origins to this year's contenders, prizes, etc.

HISTORY & WHY IS IT CELEBRATED?

Cannes, one of the world's biggest film festivals, was first conceived in 1939. It came into being as an alternative to the then-fascist-influenced Venice Film Festival. Since 1946, the festival has been held annually, except in 1948 and 1950, when it was cancelled owing to a lack of funds.

The festival carefully selects movies that later go on to win Oscars and has even launched the careers of legendary directors like Quentin Tarantino. The French Riviera is a big film market that attracts over 12,500 film industry professionals annually.

WHEN IS CANNES 2023 HAPPENING?

Cannes 2023 will begin on May 16 with the screening of the French-language film "Jeanne du Barry," starring director Maiwenn and Johnny Depp. It will close with Pixar's animation "Elemental" on May 27.

CANNES 2023: WHAT MOVIES HAVE BEEN SELECTED?

The films that are officially selected for screening at the event comprise various categories, with the most prestigious being the "in competition" films that compete for the Palme d'Or award.

CANNES 2023: THIS YEAR'S 21 CONTENDERS LIST ARE:-

"Club Zero" by Jessica Hausner

"The Zone of Interest" by Jonathan Glazer

"Kuolleet Lehdet" ("Fallen Leaves") by Aki Kaurismaki

"Les Filles d'Olfa" ("Four Daughters") by Kaouther Ben Hania

"Asteroid City" by Wes Anderson

"Anatomie d'une chute" ("Anatomy of a Fall") by Justine Triet

"Kaibutsu" ("Monster") by Kore-eda Hirokazu

"Il Sol dell' Avvenire" ("A Brighter Tomorrow") by Nanni Moretti

"L'ete dernier" ("Last Summer") by Catherine Breillat

"Kuru Otlar Ustune" ("About Dry Grasses") by Nuri Bilge Ceylan

"La Chimera" by Alice Rohrwacher

"La Passion de Dodin Bouffant" ("The Pot-au-Feu" by Tran Anh Hung

"Rapito" ("Kidnapped") by Marco Bellocchio

"May December" by Todd Haynes

"Qing Chun" ("Youth") by Wang Bing

"The Old Oak" by Ken Loach

"Banel e Adama" by Ramata-Toulaye Sy

"Perfect Days" by Wim Wenders

"Firebrand" by Karim Aïnouz

"Black Flies" by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

"Le Retour" ("Homecoming") by Catherine Corsini

Meanwhile, films that are not on the contenders list will also be screened, including Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Harrison Ford's "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny". The categories are also saved for short films and the art-house film-focused "Un Certain Regard" sidebar section.

CANNES 2023: WHAT ARE THE FESTIVAL PRIZES, AND WHO HAS WON THEM IN THE PAST?

Cannes top prize is known as the Palme d'Or. In the past, films that have received this prize include "Taxi Driver", "Apocalypse Now", "Pulp Fiction", "The Pianist" and "Parasite".

While Jane Campion and Julia Ducournau are the only two female directors who have won the prize for "The Piano" and "Titane," respectively. The other major awards given at the film festival include, Grand Prix, jury prize, best director, best actor, best actress, best screenplay, and best short film.

In 2022, the film "Triangle of Sadness" won the Palme d'Or.